Antiplasmodial activities of sesquiterpene lactones from Eupatorium semialatum.

Eupatorium semialatum, Plasmodium falciparum, Sesquiterpene Lactones Eupatorium semialatum is a member of the Asteraceae, which occurs in Guatemala. Previously, we reported the occurrence of sesquiterpene lactones of the eudesmanolide type as main constituents in the leaves. This paper deals with the isolation and identification of the first guaianolide found in E. semialatum. Since this plant is used against malaria and other diseases in the Guatemalan folk medicine, the main sesquiterpene lactones were tested for their activities against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.